Maybe i'm on my period after all.......

[Annaiyah]

Because seriously? My stomach will not. Stop. Cramping! 

Now that i'm thinking about it, i'm starting to think my hrt is giving menstrual cycle symptoms (mood swings but mind you i'm still depressed, fatigue, craving junk food, feeling tired all the time, very brief breast pain, sick feeling, not to mention my stomach is starting to swell up a little). You know, anyone who has seen my "Not having periods bothers the hell out of me" thread from a while back know how much menstruation means to me as an MTF girl. Plus i'm scared of going to the doctors about it.

I'm thinking maybe the Universe said to me "You wanna experience periods? Here you go!" and struck me with hellish stomach cramps. But then again someone mentioned to me that my frequent stomachaches maybe linked to my depression. But are any other trans girls having period-like symptoms on HRT? Including heavy stomach cramps?

The only reason why i like that my stomach hurts is because i feel like i'm on my period minus bleeding, otherwise this is too much. 

I was even writhing in pain as i posted this. Ugh.

[Michelle_P]

Ow!  The worst I've gotten are hot flashes when my patch runs empty.  I'm on a biweekly patch, changed once a week.  Delivery drops like a rock on the fourth day in, and by day 7, today, I'm downright cranky.  New patch in the morning, and by tomorrow afternoon I'll feel fine.

Meanwhile, I'm not great to be around.

[Dena]

It sounds like you may be do for an ultra sound along with a medical workup for other conditions. There are a number of digestive issues which can be serious and cause severe cramping and delaying treatment will only make thing worst.

[LizK]

It sounds like you may be do for an ultra sound along with a medical workup for other conditions. There are a number of digestive issues which can be serious and cause severe cramping and delaying treatment will only make thing worst.

If you have been on HRT for awhile I would not be looking at that for answers, I have had some stomach issues with the higher doses of oral Progynova when I first started but at around the 3 week mark even this began to settle slowly. Have you had a recent change in dose?

I think Dena is right on the money and an Ultra Sound could be in your future.

Take Care
Liz

[Annaiyah]

Thank you, peeps, for replying.

Dena and Elizabeth:
Actually i probably covered this in the previous thread where i talked about having to go to the ER but back in the spring my doctor from the Mazzoni Center sent this referral thing in the mail for an ultrasound but i'm getting it done either later this month or in early October.

But at this point I'm starting to wonder if HRT does give you period symptoms if it's normal to be in this much pain? I still wish i could use tampons.

Edited to add:
I'm still in pain, albeit it's very mild. I'm afraid to go to the doctor's office about it because i'm afraid of getting smacked with a bill in the mail (i'm a Medicare beneficiary) and i'm scared the doctor will tell me it's something really bad. If my doctor tells me my stomach is not hurting because i'm on my period but it's something really serious, i couldn't take it. Plus, this isn't something i'm comfortable talking about with just anyone. This is really embarrassing. I hope i get a female doctor.

I barely got any sleep last night because my stomach was cramping really really bad.

Have you had a recent change in dose?

Not on the testosterone blockers but i switched from shots back to pills at the beginning of September.

[Dena]

It isn't normal to be in pain when you are on HRT. Some people feel a bit moody depending on levels but when you have extreme or even moderate pain, something else is going on and it's risky not knowing. At your age, I suspect whatever it is, it's treatable.

As for tampons, that is something you should never use. Our vaginas don't have sufficient flow and they can get stuck inside. In addition, if you aren't careful with them, you can get toxic shock which can be deadly. When we need something like that, the best solution is a pad.